Effect of Directional Tires on Wet Traction

Increased tread depth of the circumferential grooves in tires is an important contributor to wet skid resistance. Directional tires are now becoming a common design because the groove pattern gives the impression of more aggressive traction capabilities. However, the directional requirement makes tire rotation for maintenance purposes more difficult by requiring a dismount and remount to maintain the correct direction of rotation. This paper reports on a study that was designed to test reversed rotation with regard to braking and lane changing on wet pavements. The study was designed to address a specific issue involving the right front reversed application of a directional tire, as well as developing data from motion measuring and global positioning system instrumentation. Nineteen combinations of tire sets were tested at three test locations. Findings show that mounting one or more directional tires opposite the intended direction of rotation did not appear to adversely affect braking or maneuvering on wet pavements.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/19348681
• Authors:
  • Herzlich, H J
  • Swint, Robert J
  • Fritsch, Edward
  • Unser, B
• Publication Date: 2010

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Bibliography; Figures; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 16-25
• Serial:
  • Collision. The International Compendium for Crash Research
  • Volume: 5
  • Issue Number: 1
  • Publisher: Collision Publishing LLC
  • ISSN: 1934-8681
  • Serial URL: http://www.collisionmagazine.com/

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Braking; Field tests; Lane changing; Tire treads; Tires; Traction; Wet weather
• Uncontrolled Terms: Wet pavements
• Subject Areas: Highways; Vehicles and Equipment; I91: Vehicle Design and Safety;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01220111
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Oct 27 2010 7:15AM